The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-20
ANTISEPTIC SCIENCE.
Alarming Prevalence of Infectious Dis
eases-Difference Between Disinfect-
ants and De0dOrants.
Long Series of Experiments Followed by
Valuable Discovery Compound OF Alu-
minuim, Br0mine and Chlorine.

| All the physicians of this city, and indeed ply
sicians all over the State, note the unusual and
| alarming prevalence of infectious diseases-es-
pecially typhoid and scarlet fevers and diphthe-
ria-during the past three months. With great
unaminity, all point to the extreme and long
continued drought as the of spread of
these diseases, so great that it may be called an
epidemic, and have brought the public to a con-
sideration of the subject of disnfection as
means of preventing further Infection
The terms "deodorantp and ''disinfectant,
are often confused. A simple deodorant is not
an anti septic. but an antiseptic is always a
deodorant Copperas is efficient deodorant;
likewise carbolc acid, but neither is true dis
infectant. A disinfectant is destroyer of in
lection. and infection is not always manifest
through an odor. A strong odor is less danger
Gus than faint one. The former causes the
absorptive glands to close while the faint odor
does not compel nature to place such quaran-
tine against it.
The dank and heavy odors often noticed in
rooms that are heavily curtained, and carpeted,
from which sunlight and ventilation are ban
ished, frequently loaded with infection.
Such are good places to apply disinfectants and
germ-killers. First among disinfectants is cor
rosive sublimate. This. however, is highly
Objectionable on account of its terribly poison
Gus properties. To arsenic, which ranks next,
the same objection applies Bromine and chlorine
irritate the air passages so as to preclude their
The desideratum is disinfectant that
will be efficient, colorless odorless and non
poisonous.
Diphtheritic infection. like that of typhoid
and other fevers, is more readily disseminated
during drought than in wet weather 1t turks
in the air, in water. in food and the wonder is
that disease is not spread to even greater ex-
tent The fact that these diseases are not more
widely disseminated under the favorlng clrcum-
stances noted, is because most of the disease
seeds fall in stony places and not in congen-
ial soil-that is, in the weakened systems when
vitality is low. The rocky and barren places
are the rugged and strong systems with high
vitality.
Reckoned among the less powerful disinfect-
ants the salts of lead and zinc; next to free
bromine and chlorine come the salts of alumni
ium.
has discovered method to cheaply combine
aluminium. bromine and chlorine, thus forming
a powerful destroyer of infection. To this dis
covery he has given the name, .'Hurtys
Bromo." It is non-poisonous, colorless and
odoress-properties which, combined with its
easy application and cheapness, and the rapidity
and thoroughness with which it does its work
germ-killer, deodorizer and disinfectant recon-
mend it for the use to which it is designed.
Hurty's Brono is cheaper than chlor ide of lime,
and unlike the chloride will not destroy textile
fabrics. 1t is also free from Objectionable odor
This preparation viii prove most efficient in
the prevention of infectious diseases as well as
powerful aid in their cure. AS a sanitary
agent its value is incalculable. The spread of
infectious diseases can be materially diminished
by the of this agent. Bromo should be used
to destroy the infection always present in the dis
charges of typhoid fever and all other infectious
cellars can be thoroughly purged of all infection
by the use of Hurtys Bromo.